Houdini entered. He was backed in by the Express representative. He was inside, safe and sound.
SECOND ESCAPE
There could be no doubt about that. At the first turn of the key the lock went forward twice; at the second, once. Houdini was behind a triple lock in the dark, dreary cell.
The Express representative and the gaoler left him there, and retired beyond an iron gate which bars the passage.
"The gate is a greater test than the cell," said the gaoler.
"It's locked before it's locked, if you understand. Shut it, and it's locked, and then you can lock it again."
The gaoler hand only secured it when Houdini presented himself.
"That's as quick as I've ever done it," said he. And then he tackled the gate.
A moment's hesitation. The gaoler shook his head, and a smile was just overspreading his features, when lo! Houdini flung open wide the gate.